AfD demonstrators outnumbered by opponents in Berlin

People protest behind a fence against a demonstration of the 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) party in Berlin, Germany, 27 May 2018. The AfD has called for a large demonstration under the motto 'Future Germany' (Zukunft Deutschland) to which they expect more than 5,000 participants. [Omer Messinger/EPA/EFE]

Some 5,000 supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) marched through the streets of Berlin on Sunday (27 May), but they were heavily outnumbered by anti-AfD demonstrations.

The AfD’s anti-immigration, anti-European Union and anti-Muslim messages helped it become the third largest party in the German Bundestag in last September’s vote but it has had little impact on parliamentary debate since then.

The AfD demonstrators, bussed in from around Germany, marched from Berlin’s main station, down the banks of the Spree river to the Brandenburg Gate near the German parliament.

Berlin was treated the surreal spectacle of the Brandenburg Gate once again serving to demarcate two Germanys.

But this time, it's supporters of anti-immigration, anti-EU @AfDon one side, and opponents of the far-right party on the otherhttps://t.co/laHehltCT4

Senior AfD lawmaker Beatrix von Storch, who addressed the supporters as they set off from the central station, said: “The rule of Islam in Germany is the rule of evil.”

Berliners responded with at least 13 registered counter-demonstrations. These included one by the city’s club scene, which put on a techno music party, aiming to “Bass the AfD away” with music blasting from speakers on 20 public address trucks.